Lobo Band Earns Superior Rating at District Assessment

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On Saturday, March 15th the Lobo Band traveled to the famed De Jong Concert Hall for the BYU Band Festival in Provo. The BYU Festival was an adjudication/clinic designed to expose students to the music from several high schools and other junior highs. Students even heard the BYU Wind Symphony.  This clinic came at a very opportune time as the band was preparing for their District Assessment and future competitions.

The Lobos received great feedback from well-known band directors from across the country on what they did well and got help on how to improve their skills during clinics held throughout the day.

Students were instructed by Dr. David Blackington (BYU Director Emeritus) while still on stage waiting for their clinic from Dr. Kenneth Sigleton (University of Northern Colorado). The judges were impressed by the skill of a mostly 8th grade band. Startled to hear the Lobo Band only has nine ninth graders out of thirty-four, Dr. Kirt Saville (BYU) told Mr. Wendell, “The future looks bright for Spanish Fork.” Dr. Parisi from the University of Missouri in Kansas City was also impressed.  

On Wednesday, March 19, the Lobo Bands took their performance to Salem High School to earn a Superior Rating (I-) at the Nebo District Concert Band Assessment. The Nebo Band Festival is an opportunity for students to listen to all the bands in the district and attend clinics after their performance.

Mr. Wendell stated, “All too often, students are only assessed as individuals, but music classes go beyond the individual and even challenge the very character. Music requires much more from a student. In order for a successful performance, individuals must prepare academically with music theory, history and culture, physically with both athletic ability and technical agility, and even emotionally to take listeners on an adventure. It’s not just playing dots on a page. Then they all get judged as individuals and as a team, a team where everyone is a starter. I’m very proud of the work our band students do to continue earning superior ratings. They are very difficult to get.”

If you would like to hear the Lobo Bands in concert, their next performance is on April 3rd @ 7pm in the Little Theater. Admission is Free.

If you would like discounted tickets (2 for $10) for the BYU Wind Symphony on April 10th @7:30pm at the De Jong Concert Hall please contact Mr. Wendell (Matthew.Wendell [at] nebo.edu) for more info.  

Attributions
By Matthew Wendell and Rillene R. E. Nielsen